INDIA HISTORY 1650 AD:

Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire.

Shivaji was the founding father of the Maratha Kingdom in India. Shivaji Maharaj established his own independent kingdom, emerging from the declining Adilshahi Sultanate. Shivaji means Shiva. Shivaji was a minor incarnation of the Avatar.

Shivaji was born, 1630, in Shivneri Fort, near Pune, in the present-day Indian state of Maharashtra. He was the son of Shahaji Bhosale, a Maratha general in the service of the Deccan Sultanates, and Jijabai, a deeply religious woman who had a profound influence on Shivaji. Shivaji's early years were marked by the turmoil of the Deccan region, dominated by various warring factions. He spent a significant part of his childhood in Pune, where he received education in statecraft and military tactics under the guidance of Dadaji Konddeo.

At the age of 16 Shivaji carried out his first military action by capturing the Torna Fort of the Bijapur Sultanate. He pioneered guerilla tactics, which utilized the mountainous terrain of the Western Ghats to his advantage against his enemies, primarily the Mughals and the Adilshahis. Through a series of conquests and strategic alliances, Shivaji established the Maratha Kingdom, challenging the dominance of the Mughal Empire in the region. Shivaji fought with 27 enemies including the Mughals, English, Dutch at different places and raised a Naval base in the sea.

Shivaji was known for his progressive and efficient administrative system, which included modernizing the military, pioneering naval forces, and establishing a fair and competent governance structure. Despite being a devout Hindu, he was known for his respect towards other religions, ensuring religious freedom in his empire. His rule was marked by a welfare-oriented approach, focusing on the well-being and prosperity of his subjects.

• Shivaji’s formal coronation as the king of his realm took place in 1674, where he was titled 'Chhatrapati'. He continued to expand his empire while maintaining diplomatic relations with other rulers
Shivaji passed away in 1680, leaving behind a well-established kingdom and a legacy that would inspire future generations He is credited with laying the foundations of the Indian Navy, setting up a number of naval bases along the Konkan coast.

• Shivaji is a hero and a symbol of Maratha pride and nationalism. Shivaji Maharaj's legacy is remembered for his military acumen, innovative governance, and the establishment of a Hindu kingdom at a time when the Mughal Empire was at its zenith. His life and accomplishments continue to inspire and hold significant cultural and historical importance in India.

Shivaji, a contemporary of Samarth Ramdas, was deeply influenced by his teachings. Ramdas was a Perfect Master of his time. Ramdas's influence is said to have reinforced Shivaji's sense of duty, ethics, and commitment to dharma (righteousness). Shivaji followed his own judgment throughout his career. Shivaji is said to have offered his entire kingdom to Ramdas, who in turn asked Shivaji to rule the kingdom in his name, promoting the idea of just and righteous governance.

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Ahilya Holkar and the Maratha Empire 1747

Ahilya Holkar further expanded and sustained these advancements in the 1700s. She was a prominent and revered ruler in Indian history, particularly noted for her contributions to the Maratha Empire in the 18th century. Born in 1725 in the village of Chondi in present-day Maharashtra, Ahilyabai was married to Khanderao Holkar, the son of Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar dynasty in the region of Indore. Following her husband's death and later, her father-in-law's, Ahilyabai effectively took the reins of the Holkar state in 1767.

Ahilyabai Holkar's reign is distinguished by her exceptional administrative skills and her commitment to the welfare of her people. She continued Shivaji Maharaj's legacy of progressive governance in Maharashtra. Under her rule, the kingdom prospered, witnessing significant development in infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges, wells, and reservoirs to enhance trade and agriculture. Ahilyabai was also a great patron of art and culture, commissioning many temples and Dharamshalas (rest houses), including the famous ones at Somnath, Dwarka, and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi.

Her governance was marked by a deep sense of justice, compassion, and an egalitarian approach, as she worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden. Ahilyabai abolished the practice of Sati and fought against the caste system and discrimination. The British later made Sati officially abolished in all India in 1829.

The British Raj Ruled 1847 - 1947

The British Crown took over direct control of India after the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the East India Company, leading to the establishment of the British Raj, which lasted until Indian independence in 1947. The Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi pushed for independence through political campaigns. In 1947, Lord Mountbatten was appointed as the last Viceroy of India with the mandate to oversee the transition of British India to independence by the partition of India into two countries: India and Pakistan. The economic and human costs of World War II had weakened the British Empire significantly. Britain faced immense pressure both internationally and domestically to decolonize.